BERLIN: Japan ahead Daichi Kamada says his aspect’s massive contingent of Bundesliga gamers can draw psychological power from realizing they “percentage the similar level” as first-up International Cup warring parties Germany. Japan’s squad for the finals in Qatar comprises 8 Germany-based gamers, greater than some other nationwide league – together with Japan’s first-division J1 League.

9 Eastern gamers play within the first department of the Bundesliga, seven of that have been decided on within the squad for Qatar. Qatar-bound midfielder Ao Tanaka additionally performs in Germany, for Fortuna Duesseldorf in the second one department. Kamada, 26, who has 12 objectives in all competitions for Frankfurt this season, can be certainly one of Japan’s maximum essential gamers in Qatar.

“There are numerous Eastern gamers within the Bundesliga now and I believe we’re on an equivalent footing with them (the German nationwide workforce) now,” Kamada informed AFP. “Once I first arrived within the Bundesliga from Japan, I used to be taking part in towards gamers from Bayern and the Germany nationwide workforce. But if I used to be taking part in in Japan, there have been just one or two gamers from the Japan nationwide workforce over there. “It used to be abnormal to be taking part in towards gamers I had simplest watched ahead of, however… I believe it has a big impact on us mentally to be sharing the similar level as them.”

Qatar-bound Freiburg winger Ritsu Doan stated Japan’s sizeable Eu-based contingent – 21 of 26 gamers – confirmed sufficient intensity to hassle now not simplest Germany, however fellow workforce heavyweight Spain. “There don’t seem to be simplest gamers taking part in in Germany, but additionally within the 5 primary leagues at a excessive degree, and neatly, I believe we will be able to compete with the 26 gamers (in our squad)” Doan informed AFP. “I believe it’s sure that the entire gamers are competing now not simplest within the Bundesliga however typically at a excessive degree.”

‘We will be able to compete’

The excessive illustration of Eastern gamers in Germany is greater than only a statistical quirk. Germany has an extended historical past of scouting and recruiting Eastern gamers, relationship again to 1977, when Yasuhiko Okudera made his debut for Cologne, changing into the primary Eastern footballer to play professionally in Europe. Okudera informed AFP so much had modified since his decade-long stint with Cologne, Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen, particularly that Eastern gamers had confirmed their talent to compete on the best possible degree.

“In the ones days, it used to be so much stricter… it used to be exhausting to get in,” Okudera stated. “Now (the Bundesliga) has grow to be a spot the place we will be able to compete at the similar pitch as gamers from Africa, South/Central The us and the remainder of the arena.” In all probability the best possible profile Eastern participant lately, former Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa, used to be recruited to Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund immediately from Japan, ahead of a high-profile transfer to the Premier League two years later.

‘A bonus’

Japan and Germany play each and every different in Workforce E’s first fixture on November 23, however whether or not taking part in week in and week out towards many in their warring parties could be a bonus is still observed. Okudera stated Japan’s familiarity with Germany and the Bundesliga would “be a bonus”, however may additionally prefer Germany. “At the one hand, it’ll be a bonus, and however, the opposite aspect is aware of us (higher).”

Japan captain Maya Yoshida, who joined Schalke in the summertime, informed AFP: “I’m now not certain if it’ll or now not (be a bonus).” “I believe it’s just right that we perceive German, like for set performs and so forth. “It’s indubitably a plus to have the revel in of taking part in with such gamers and realizing their traits – however it’s the similar for the opponent” Yoshida, who made the transfer from Serie A’s Sampdoria to Schalke in the summertime, joked that his transfer to the Bundesliga could have been made with the International Cup in thoughts. “That’s the explanation why I play right here,” Yoshida stated. – AFP